Curb and gutter paving apparatus and method



Sept. 28, 1965 J. SIGMUND CURB AND GUTTER PAVING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 19. 1960 Jacob S/ymund INVENTOR.

Se t. 2%, 1965 J. SIGMUND &

CURB AND GUTTER PAVING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed July 19. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. L51 1965 J. SIGMUND 3,8,

CURB AND GUTTER PAVING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed July 19. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 3

Jacab Sigmund 1N VENTOR.

Sept, 1% J. SIGMUND 33%,3

CURB AND GUTTER PAVING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed July 19. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F jg. 6

3,208,362 (YURI; AND GUTIER PAVING APPARATUS METHOD Jacob Sigmund, Moorhead, Minn, assignor of one-half to Ernest C. Stee, Bismarck, N. Dak. Filed July '19, 1960, Ser. No. 43,810 4 Claims. (CI. 94-46) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for paving a combined curb and gutter in one simple operation.

The conventional hand method of laying curb and gutter employed heretofore and still in common use includes an operation in connection with the forming of the curb that is both costly and time consuming. This hand method also requires the use of considerable skilled labor for finishing which is practically eliminated by this invention. It is therefore a primary object of this invention to pave the curb and gutter in one operation by use of the novel apparatus of this invention and thereby reduce the ultimate expense and time consumption that was heretofore characteristic of curb and gutter construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a curb and gutter paving apparatus which will form a combined curb and gutter to the precise dimensions required and with an accuracy and speed heretofore not possible with conventional hand methods.

In order to accomplish the foregoinng objects, a gutter side form and a curb side form are disposed parallel to each other in accurately adjusted position pursuant to the requirements of the road being constructed. The curb side form is of course of greater height than the gutter side form since the top level of the curb is higher than that of the gutter. poured between the curb and gutter side forms up to the level of the gutter side form so as to substantially form the gutter level. The paving unit in accordance with this invention is then mounted upon the gutter and curb side forms which have track flanges on the top thereof. The paving unit has a bottom which conforms in shape to the desired shape of the gutter and curb so as to trowel the concrete mixture disposed beneath the paving unit between the side forms as the paving unit is moved along the side forms on the track flanges thereof. It will be appreciated however, that additional concrete mixture must be admitted beneath the paving unit in order to fill up the space therebeneath for forming the curb portion. Accordingly, a hopper is provided adjacent to the forward end of the paving unit which hopper is in communication with an opening in the paving unit through which concrete may be poured into the space beneath the paving unit adjacent to the curb side form. Also disposed adjacent the rear end of the paving unit is a second hopper similarly disposed with respect to the curb side form for admitting a finishing coat of concrete mixture to the curb portion. Pivotally and adjustably connected rearwardly of the paving unit is a finish troweling unit disposed between the track portions of the side forms so as to finally trowel both the gutter and curb. In order to propel the paving unit along the side form track, propelling mechanism is mounted on the paving unit and may include a power operated winch drum to which a cable is connected at one end, the other end of the cable being anchored to the ground some distance forwardly of the paving unit so as to draw the paving unit along the side form track as the power winch winds up the cable thereon. The curb and gutter paving apparatus also features a special tool device which hooks onto the track of the curb side form and pivots downwardly into the top surface of the concrete curb and gutter before the concrete has set so as to form a dummy joint therein for concrete contraction purposes.

The fluent concrete mixture is then r States Patent C These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the curb and gutter paving apparatus made in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan View of the curb and gutter paver as seen in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken through a plane indicated by section line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4- is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken through a plane' indicated by section line 5-5 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the finished troweling unit.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view through the curb and gutter with the dummy joint tool applied thereto.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the dummy joint tool.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and to FIGURE 2 in particular, it will be observed that the paving unit is generally designated by reference numeral 10, said paving unit It being slidably mounted on a curb side form member 12 and a gutter side form member 14 disposed parallel to the curb side form 12. Connected to the paving unit 10 rearwardly thereof is a finished troweling unit 16 disposed between the side form members 12 and I4 and carried along the top surface of the curb and gutter paved by the paving unit 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 in particular it will be observed that the longitudinal curb side form member 12 as seen in cross-section in FIGURE 3 includes a bottom supporting flange 18, a web portion 20 and an upper track flange 22, the inner surface of the web portion 2d of the form member 12 thereby constituting a side form for confining the concrete 24 at the curb end thereof. The gutter side form member 14- it will be observed is similar in cross section to the side form member 12 but of a lower height and also includes a supporting flange 26, a web portion 28 and an upper track flange 30, the inner surface of the web portion 28 confining the concrete '24 at the gutter end thereof.

As will be seen in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 6 for example, the paving unit under which the concrete curb and gutter is formed comprises a bottom paving or surfacing member 32 which is of such configuration as to form the shape of the gutter and curb. Accordingly, the member 32 is of substantial length as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 and has a transverse cross-sectional shape which includes a curb forming portion 34 and a flat gutter forming portion 36 as will more clearly be seen in FIGURE 6. As will be observed in FIGURE 6, the gutter forming portion 36 is inclined slightly downward toward the curb forming portion 34 in order to provide the usual inclined shape to the gutter. The member 32 also has a longitudinal side member 38 connected to the gutter side of the member 32 while a side member 40 is connected to the opposite side of the member 32 as will be more clearly shown in FIGURE 6. Also a front end member 42 is connected to the paving member 32 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 3, while a rear end member 44 is connected to the member 32 at its rear end. Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 3, it will be observed that the front end of the paving member 32 has an upturned portion 46 which is so arranged as to facilitate the compacting of the concrete beneath paving member 32 as it is drawn thereover. Also, referring to FIGURES 3 and 5, it will be observed that apertures 48 and 50 are provided in the front and rear members 42 and 44 respectively adjacent the juncture of the side and rear members with the paving member 32 where the gutter forming portion 36 and the curb forming portion 34 meet. Accordingly, moisture collected within the paving unit 10 may escape. Also connected to the front and rear members 42 and 44 are a pair of handle members as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the handle members 52 on the front member 42 enabling handling of the paving unit while the members 52 on the rear member 44 serving a purpose that will hereafter be explained.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 6 in particular, it will be observed that the paving unit is supported for movement along the track flanges 22 and 343 of the side form members 12 and 14, the gutter forming portion 36 of the paving member 32 overlapping the side form 14 in sliding contact with the track flange 3G in order to confine the fluent concrete 24 below the gutter forming portion while the curb forming portion 34 is guided on the track flange 22 of the side member 12 by means of a pair of rollers 54 and 545 rotatably mounted on the side member 4t connected to the curb forming portion 34 of the paving member 32. It will therefore be apparent that excess concrete beneath the gutter forming portion rather than escaping above the side form 14 will be displaced toward the void initially formed below the curb forming portion 34 to partially fill the void. In order to keep the track flange 22 of the side member 12 clean so as to permit free rolling of the rollers 54 and 56, scraper elements 58 and 6d are connected to the side member 4t) and disposed in front of the rollers 54 and 56. Each of the scraper elements 58 and 60 therefore include an angle member 62 which is fastened to the side member dd, said angle member 62 having riveted thereto a piece of hard rubber or belting 64 which is sandwiched between the member 62 and a mounting element 66 as will be more clearly seen in FIG- URE for example. The hard rubber or belting element 64 extends below the mounting members 62 and 66 and is in contact with the track flange 22 in order to perform its indicated function.

Referring now to FIGURES l, 2 and 3, it will be observed that a hopper 68 is provided adjacent the forward end of the paving unit It), said hopper 68 being in registry at the bottom thereof with an opening 7b in the curb forming portion 34 of the paving member 32 so that a fluent concrete mixture may be admitted through the opening 70 in order to fill up the aforementioned void beneath the curb forming portion 34 of the paving member 32 as the paving unit lit? is being drawn along, the concrete having been already poured between the side form members 12 and l t up to the gutter level as defined by the height of the side form member 14. The mixture loaded into the hopper 63 may accordingly be vibrated or agitated by means of a mechanical vibrator inserted into the hopper for such purpose.

A second hopper '72 is disposed adjacent the rear end of the paving unit 10, said second hopper '72 being in registry with a second opening 7d formed in the curb forming portion 34 of the paving member 32. The concrete mixture admitted through the second opening 74- may accordingly be a finish coating for the curb portion of the concrete being paved beneath the paving unit it In order to propel the paving unit lit along the track flanges of the side members 12 and 14 a winch drum 76 is rotatably mounted on the paving unit between a pair of angle support members '78 and 84} connected to and disposed on top of the side members 40 and 38 as will more clearly be seen in FIGURE 6. A cable 82 is therefore wound upon the winch drum '76, the other end of the cable 82 being anchored to the ground a considerable distance in front of the paving unit It) by means of an anchor rod 84 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 1. It will therefore be appreciated, that as the winch drum '76 winds the cable up it will draw the paving unit it) on which the winch is mounted toward the anchor post 84 in order to propel the paving unit.

Drive mechanism is accordingly provided for controllably rotating the winch drum 76, said drive mechanism including a drive shaft 88 which is geared to the winch drum 76, said drive shaft being journalled in a supporting bracket 90 mounted on the paving member 32 and fastened thereto in any suitable manner. A drive pulley 22 is connected to the drive end of the drive shaft 88, said pulley being drivingly connected to a pulley wheel 94 by means of an endless belt 96 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 6. The pulley wheel 94 is driven by any suitable prime mover such as an internal combustion engine diagrammatically illustrated and designed by reference numeral 98. The prime mover 98 is also mounted on the paving member 32 and preferably on the flat gutter forming portion thereof. It will also be observed that the drive shaft 38 is mounted by means of the supporting bracket 96 so that it is in alignment with the cable winding winch drum '76 which is rotatably mounted by the angle members 7 8 and 84 disposed above the paving member 32. It will also be observed that the driving mechanism and the propelling mechanism are mounted on the paving member 32 between the hoppers es and 72.

From the foregoing description, operation of the paving unit it) will be apparent. However, in order to provide a suitable finish to the curb and gutter paved by the paving unit lltl, the troweling unit 16 is provided and is pivotally connected by means of the members 52 on the rear member 44- to the paving unit. Referring therefore to FIG- URES 2 and 7 it will be observed that the troweling unit 16 includes a troweling member 1% which is shaped to conform with the shape of the curb and gutter and hence similarly includes a flat downwardly inclined gutter portion 102 and a curb conforming portion 104, the troweling member 1% being disposed between the side form members 12 and 14. The troweling member ltltl also includes an upturned front end 1% in order to properly move and trowel the surface of the gutter and curb. A connecting member 108 is connected to the troweling member adjacent the forward end thereof and extends transversely across the troweling member. A pair of ribs lllil are provided and interconnect the connecting member 108 with the troweling member flat gutter portion 111 2 in order to provide the requisite strength and rigidity for the troweling unit 16. Also connected to the forward surface of the connecting member 108 are a pair of hook members 112 by means of which the troweling unit 16 is pivotally connected to the rear end member 44 of the paving unit M by means of link members 114 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 2. It will therefore be appreciated that the troweling unit 16 by virtue of its link connection to the paving unit 10 may be laterally displaced relative thereto. Accordingly, a spring mechanism 118 is interconnected between the connecting member 198 of the troweling unit 16 and the rear end member 44 of the paving unit 1% so as to impose a lateral thrust on the troweling unit 16 which is necessary in order to properly trowel the curb portion of the concrete.

Referring now to FIGURES l, 2, and 4, it will be observed that a trowel pressure adjustment mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 120 is provided for the purpose of imposing a regulated downward pressure on the troweling unit. The pressure regulating mechanism 126 includes an arm member 122 which is fastened to the rear end member 44 of the paving unit it) and extends horizontally therefrom across the top of the troweling unit 16 as will more clearly be seen in FIG- URE l. A rotatable screw member 124 is threadedly engaged with the rear end of the member 122 and contacts the center portion of the troweling member 106 in order to apply downward pressure thereto when manually adjusted by rotation of the screw member 124.

After the curb and gutter has been paved and finished troweling, a tool is needed in order to complete the curb and gutter laying operation in order to make the contraction joint or dummy joint before the concrete sets too firmly. The purpose of the contraction joint is to provide for contraction of the concrete so as to prevent cracking thereof in an undesirable manner. Referring therefore to FIGURES 8 and 9 a tool 126 is provided, said tool comprising a backing member 128 which conforms to the transverse top surface shape of the curb and gutter, said backing member 128 having at one end a handle portion 130 and at its other end the hook portion 132 which is of wider width than the backing member 128. A rib or blade 134 is provided and depends beneath the backing member 128, said blade 134 being spaced from the hook end portion 132 and the handle portion 130 and being of such length as to accurately fit between the side form members 12 and 14. The hook portion 132 engages the track flange 22 of the side form member 12 so that the tool member may be pivotally swung downwardly into the concrete so that the blade 134 may form the contraction joint in the surface of the concrete. It will be observed that the wider dimension of the hook portion 132 enables the tool 126 to be accurately disposed perpendicular to the side form member 12 when the tool is applied thereto in the manner indicated hereinabove.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a pair of side forms between which fluid concrete has been poured, a machine for making a curb and gutter comprising a carriage rotatably supported for movement on one of said side forms and slidably supported on the other of said side forms, surfacing means mounted on the carriage for simultaneously shap- 111g the curb and gutter from the fluid concrete between said side forms, hopper means mounted on the surface means for supplying additional fluid concrete during the shaping of said curb and gutter to complete the formation of the curb by the surfacing means, troweling means operatively connected to the carriage in unsupported trailing relation to the surfacing means for laterally displaceable movement over the curb and gutter formed by the surfacing means, and means mounted on the carriage and engageable with the troweling means for yieldably urging the troweling means in one lateral direction to apply lateral troweling pressure on the curb completed by the additional fluid concrete introduced between the side forms through the hopper means.

2. In combination with a pair of side forms between whcih fluid concrete has been poured, a machine for making a curb and gutter comprising a carriage supported on said side forms for movement therealong, surfacing means mounted on the carriage for simultaneously shapin the curb and gutter from the fluid concrete between said side forms, hopper means mounted on the surface means for supplying additional fluid concrete during the shaping of said curb and gutter to complete the formation of the curb by the surfacing means, troweling means pivotally connected to the carriage in trailing relation thereto for unsupported movement over the curb and gutter formed by the surfacing means, and means mounted on the carriage and engageable with the troweling means for yieldably urging the troweling means in one lateral direction to apply lateral troweling pressure on the curb completed by the additional fluid concrete introduced between the side forms through the hopper means.

3. Apparatus for simultaneously paving a gutter and curb comprising, elongated gutter and curb side form means of unequal height disposed parallel to each other, track means integrally formed on top of said side form means, continuous curb and gutter surfacing means slidably disposed on top of said track means for simultaneously forming and troweling the gutter and curb, first cur-b filling hopper means mounted on said surfacing means and disposed adjacent to the curb side form means for admitting fluent concrete mixture beneath the surfacing means to form the curb, power propelling means mounted on said surfacing means and drivingly connected thereto for moving the surfacing means forwardly along the track means, second finish-coat hopper means mounted on said surfacing means rearwardly of said first hopper means and disposed adjacent to said curb side form means for applying a finish coat of concrete mixture to the curb, adjustable troweling means, and connecting means connecting said troweling means to said surfacing means rearwardly thereof, said connecting means including yieldable means for biasing said troweling means later-ally towards said curb side form means.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 including trowel pressure adjustment means mounted on said surfacing means and adjustably engageable with said troweling means to apply a downward force thereon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 775,110 11/04 Jumper 94-45 941,886 11/09 Lamson 94-24 1,170,452 2/16 Lipp 94-51 X 1,609,025 11/26 Lichtenberg 94-24 1,637,998 8/27 Heltzel 94-46 1,950,673 3/34 Heltzel 94-45 1,985,220 12/34 Clark et a1. 94-39 2,204,021 6/40 Leatherman 94-39 2,297,978 10/42 Oswald 94-45 2,617,336 11/52 Brickler 94-45 2,623,446 12/52 Clark et al. 94-46 2,847,916 8/58 Andrus et a1. 94-46 2,949,068 8/ Gresham 94-45 JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A PAIR OF SIDE FORMS BETWEEN WHICH FLUID CONCRETE HAS BEEN POURED, A MACHINE FOR MAKING A CURB AND GUTTER COMPRISING A CARRIAGE ROTATABLY SUPPORTED FOR MOVEMENT ON ONE OF SAID SIDE FORMS AND SLIDABLY SUPPORTED ON THE OTHER OF SAID FORMS, SURFACING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE CARRIAGE FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY SHAPING THE CURB AND GUTTER FROM THE FLUID CONCRETE BETWEEN SAID SIDE FORMS, HOPPER MEANS MOUNTED ON THE SURFACE MEANS FOR SUPPLYING ADDITIONAL FLUID CONCRETE DURING THE SHAPING OF SAID CURB AND GUTTER TO COMPLETE THE FORMATION OF THE CURB BY THE SURFACING MEANS, TROWELING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE CARRIAGE IN UNSUPPORTED TRAILING RELATION TO THE SURFACING MEANS FOR LATERALLY DISPLACEABLE MOVEMENT OVER THE CURB AND GUTTER FORMED BY THE SURFACING MEANS, AND MEANS MOUNTED ON THE CARRIAGE AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE TROWELING MEANS FOR YIELDABLY URGING THE TROWELING MEANS IN ONE LATERAL DIRECTION TO APPLY LATERAL TROWELING PRESSURE ON THE CURB COMPLETED BY THE ADDITIONAL FLUID CONCRETE INTRODUCED BETWEEN THE SIDE FORMS THROUGH THE HOPPER MEANS. 